$31.5 million bid for New York apartment denied by building’s co-op board

Eric Pfeiffer

Reporter

The SideshowMay 8, 2012

In today's housing market, good deals are waiting to be had. But for one New York co-op, a $31.5 million bid wasn't even enticing enough to merit an interview with the potential tenant.

The prospective buyer also happens to be the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheik Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. He made an offer to purchase and convert two apartments in the co-op belonging to the late heiress Huguette Clark.

NBC News reports that the apartments cover about 10,000 square feet and are located on the 8th floor of the luxury co-op at 907 Fifth Avenue, at East 72nd Street, on the east side of Central Park.

And while Clark's estate approved of the sale, the building's co-op reportedly decided against even interviewing the sheik over concerns such a high-profile resident would affect the building's "quiet character." In addition, the board was apparently concerned about the sheik's plans for extensive construction to join the two apartments into one living space.

As NBC notes, Clark was the "perfect neighbor." At least for those who think the perfect neighbor is someone who is never actually at home. The heiress passed away in 2011 at the age of 104 after spending the past 20 years living in New York City hospitals.

Still, it's not like the prime minister will be homeless. His cousin, Qatar's hereditary ruling leader Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, lives down the block. And the prime minister himself is also the owner of a 436-foot yacht, Al-Mirqab, which reportedly cost several hundred million dollars.